US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping were in agreement that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be opened to support global energy needs, according to a readout of their Thursday meeting by a White House official.
Xi also opposed any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the strait, which has effectively closed since the start of the US and Israel war against Iran.
Xi expressed interest in China purchasing more US oil to reduce future Chinese dependence on Gulf oil, according to the official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The leaders also discussed further stemming the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the US and increasing Chinese purchases of US agricultural products.
Trump invites Xi to White House on Sept 24
Trump announced that Xi Jinping would be making a reciprocal visit to the White House on September 24.
“Thank you again, President Xi, for this beautiful welcome, and tonight, it is my honour to extend an invitation to you, Madam Peng, to visit us at the White House this September 24 and we look forward to it, and I'd now like to raise your glass and propose a toast to the rich and enduring ties between the American and Chinese people,” Trump said during his speech here during his meeting with Xi.
“It's a very special relationship, and I want to thank you again. This has been an amazing time,” Trump said.
Taiwan says China the ‘only risk to regional stability’
Responding to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks during a meeting with his US counterpart that “Taiwan independence” and cross-strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water, while noting the issue was the most important in the bilateral relationship between the US and China, Taiwan's Ministry of External Affairs described China as “currently the only risk to regional peace and stability”.
Reacting to Xi's warning for the US to be careful about Taiwan, the ministry said, “Even during the meeting between the leaders of the United States and China, the People's Liberation Army continued to send military aircraft and ships to harass and threaten Taiwan in the region.”
Also read: High-stakes Trump-Xi meeting underway in Beijing
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